Therapist Resources

Mental Health Professionals:
Resources to Make your Job Easier

A few notes: I have been practicing psychotherapy for 20 years and along the way I’ve discovered some valuable tools and resources to help me progress in my career. I wished I’d discovered most of these years ago. I’d like to share these new therapist resources as they may help you as well. Some of the links below are affiliate links meaning I get a small commission on a sale through the link (you pay the same amount). I do not recommend anything without using it and/or feeling completely confident in recommending it. These new therapist resources are provided to help you in your professional growth. I am licensed and practicing in California. I tend to share licensing information for California. If you live elsewhere, be sure to check with your particular state.

Facebook groups for Therapists/Social Workers

Selling the Couch – This is one of the largest and most active Facebook group for therapists. It’s a great place to ask questions, build connections, and share resources. The group is moderated by Melvin Varghese, Ph.D., host of a podcast by the same name.

The Abundance Practice Builders – This is another large and active group for therapists. It’s moderated by therapist, business coach, and podcast host Allison Puryear, LCSW.

The Entrepreneur’s Tribe – Samara Stone, LCSW-C heads up this group that emphasizes branding and marketing strategies for mental health professionals.

Insurance Credentialing and Billing for Mental Health Clinicians -mGet support with all of your insurance-related questions from how to get credentialed as a provider to how to bill for services and navigate pitfalls. This group is headed up by Danielle Kepler, LCPC and Katia Callan, LCSW-C of the Insurance Answers podcast.

Running a Private Practice

Private Practice Breakthrough – Business coach and practice-building expert Jennifer Sneeden, LMFT is offering live events in Del Ray Beach, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles during October 2018. What a great way to gather a wealth of information on attracting clients and building a successful business (and a bargain at only $97)!

Simple Practice – I use and love Simple Practice. It is the perfect solution for a solo practitioner. Features include electronic records, insurance billing, client portal for completing intake documents and online scheduling, mobile app, practice statistics such as income, unpaid sessions, number of sessions per month, and more. Customer service is outstanding! (Use this link for a $50 credit when you sign-up for a paid subscription.)

Square – I’ve used Square for my credit card processing for several years and always with great results. The pricing is competitive and deposits are made within 24 hours. I’ve never had a single problem with Square. (Use this link for up to $1000 in free processing when you activate a new account through the link.)

Moo Business Cards – the best cards hands down. I love the larger size with rounded corners. The square business cards are beautiful, too. So many options and fabulous quality.

Mailerlite – I just began using Mailerlite for my mailing list in 2018. I’ve tried several other services, but Mailerlite seems to have the best of all — all the features I need and a reasonable price. (Use this link for a $20 credit when you sign-up.)

QA Prep – If you need help with your documentation, QA prep offers free and paid resources for making sense of your documentation — everything from catching up on your paperwork, tips, and best practices related to documentation.

Podcasts

The Social Work Podcast – Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., LCSW
“Provides information on all things social work, including direct practice (both clinical and community organizing), research, policy, education… and everything in between.”
Interesting topics include motivational interviewing, the future of healthcare, suicide in schools, trauma-informed care.

inSocialWork® – University of Buffalo School of Social Work
The mission of inSocialWork® is “to engage practitioners and researchers in lifelong learning and to promote research to practice and practice to research”. Interesting topics include reproductive justice, basic income, professional resilience, gang life, traumatic brain injury.

Practice of the Practice – Joe Sanok, LPC
Joe shares his own experience of building a successful private practice and consulting business, including his monthly income growth. Interesting topics include video marketing, digital HIPAA compliance, writing a book.

podsocs – Patricia Froneck
Podsocs, podcasts for social workers, is an initiative of Griffith University in Australia. Topics include health, education, global, family, policy, culture, and equality.

Therapy Chat – Laura Reagan, LCSW-C
Laura interviews therapists, researchers, and authors about their work as healers and educators. Laura also shares her own expertise in trauma, self-care, and self-compassion.

Abundant Practice Podcast – Allison Puryear, LCSW
Learn about how to run a successful private practice. Interesting topics include content marketing, choosing a niche, dealing with impostor syndrome, and much more.

Blogs and Online Magazines

Printable Handouts for your Groups and Trainings

Do you ever need a quick handout for your therapy group or social work training? I’ve created 6 sets of self-improvement printables (each contains 5 different PDFs) for a nominal fee of $4.99. Once purchased, you’re welcome to copy them again and again for use with clients, workshops, or other mental health educational activities. (I just ask that they aren’t altered or resold.)

Books I routinely recommend to clients

Meditation Tool

Ever wonder if you are meditating correctly? If it’s really helping? Muse is an innovative tool for managing your own stress. And it can also be used in sessions with clients. Muse helps meditation by reading your brain waves and providing data via your smart phone or tablet.